Best Travel Cots for Toddlers UK 2026: 5 Compared

By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated August 2026

A travel cot that worked perfectly at six months can feel cramped or awkward once your child is walking. Toddlers need enough mattress length to stretch out, sides that remain secure when they stand, and a floor-level sleeping area that does not wobble when they roll around. Parents still need a cot that fits the car and can be assembled after a late arrival.

For most families, the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is the best combination of toddler lifespan, 6kg carry weight and uncomplicated setup. The Silver Cross Slumber is roomier and adds a zip-open playpen door, while the Joie Kubbie Sleep is the value choice when boot space matters less than budget.

Best toddler travel cots compared

1. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light — best overall

The BabyBjörn remains unusually easy to carry for a full toddler sleep space. It weighs 6kg including its bag, opens in one movement and has no loose poles to connect. Its 60 × 105cm mattress is long enough for many children approaching three, and the wide mesh panels make it easier to see whether a restless toddler has settled.

The floor-level design is the main reason it suits an older, heavier child. BabyBjörn does not set an upper weight limit because the mattress rests directly on the floor; use ends at roughly three years or as soon as a child attempts to climb out. The low base does mean bending further down, which can be uncomfortable for some adults.

• Best for: flights, train trips and families who use the same cot regularly.
• Main strengths: light weight, quick setup, useful 105cm mattress length.
• Consider first: premium price and the deep lift to mattress level.

Check BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light on Amazon

2. Silver Cross Slumber — best roomy toddler cot

The Slumber feels more like a compact playpen than a narrow overnight cot. Its toddler mattress measures 101 × 72.5cm and the open frame is 112 × 80cm, so it needs more floor space than the Maxi-Cosi Iris. That extra width is useful for a toddler who changes position constantly or spends quiet playtime in the cot during the day.

At 7.65kg it remains manageable for car holidays. The mesh side opens as a crawl-through door in playpen mode, while the same mattress is used from newborn insert to toddler mode. Silver Cross states suitability from birth to approximately three years. The folded 88 × 34 × 17cm shape is long and flat, which works well beneath other luggage but may not suit a small suitcase.

• Best for: cottages, grandparents' houses and longer stays.
• Main strengths: wide sleeping area, playpen door, flat fold.
• Consider first: the 80cm open width in a compact hotel room.

Check Silver Cross Slumber on Amazon

3. Maxi-Cosi Iris — best lightweight alternative

At 5.4kg, the Iris is the lightest cot in this comparison. The mattress has a higher position for a young baby and moves to the lower toddler level once the child can sit, which means one purchase can cover several years of family trips. Maxi-Cosi gives the lower mode a 15kg limit and an approximate age range to three years.

The zipped fabrics can be removed for machine washing, a useful detail after sandy holidays, sickness or repeated stays. The wide top opening makes it easier to lower a sleeping toddler than on some tapered designs. There are no wheels, so you lift the complete cot when moving it between rooms.

• Best for: parents who carry the cot through stations or up stairs.
• Main strengths: 5.4kg weight, washable fabrics, two levels.
• Consider first: 15kg limit and no wheels.

Check Maxi-Cosi Iris on Amazon

4. Joie Kubbie Sleep — best budget choice

The Kubbie Sleep costs less than the premium pop-up cots and adds features that work well in a guest room: two integrated wheels, mesh on all four sides and a side panel that lifts and lowers. Its 100 × 59cm footprint is narrower than the Silver Cross, so it can fit beside a bed where a broad playpen-style cot cannot.

The trade-off is weight. At 8.79kg it is noticeably heavier to carry from a distant airport car park or along a railway platform. Joie specifies use from birth to 15kg. For a smaller toddler travelling mainly by car, it offers sensible value; for a tall child close to the limit, the BabyBjörn's longer floor mattress has more headroom.

• Best for: occasional car trips and a second cot at relatives' homes.
• Main strengths: useful price, wheels, bedside-style access.
• Consider first: 8.79kg carry weight and 15kg use limit.

Check Joie Kubbie Sleep on Amazon

5. Bugaboo Stardust — best for one-second setup

The Stardust opens in one second and folds in three steps with the mattress stored inside. Its flat 14cm-deep folded shape is convenient behind a door or across a car boot. The built-in mattress and all-round mesh create a tidy setup when you arrive after bedtime and want as few separate pieces as possible.

It is the least future-proof toddler option here. Bugaboo gives the cot a 15kg, 89cm and approximately two-year limit, whichever is reached first. It works best for a younger toddler and frequent short stays, not a tall two-and-a-half-year-old who needs another year of use.

• Best for: younger toddlers, weekend visits and very fast setup.
• Main strengths: one-piece fold, mattress stored inside, slim packed depth.
• Consider first: shorter age/height lifespan and higher price.

Check Bugaboo Stardust on Amazon

What matters more for a toddler than a newborn?

Usable length, not only the age label

“Up to three years” is only a guide. Compare your child's standing height with the internal sleeping length and leave room to stretch. A 105cm mattress will usually offer more useful life than a cot capped at 89cm child height.

A floor-level base

Raised inserts are for young babies and must be removed at the stage stated in the manual. A toddler should use the lower cot position. Floor-supported designs also avoid placing the child's weight on a suspended upper level.

Climbing behaviour

Stop using any travel cot when your child tries to climb out, even if they remain below the published age or weight. Do not place boxes, bags or furniture beside the cot where they become a step.

The supplied mattress

Use the mattress made for the cot and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Adding a second mattress can create gaps at the sides. The Lullaby Trust mattress guidance recommends a firm, flat, waterproof surface in good condition.

How to help a toddler sleep in a travel cot

1. Practise one daytime nap at home before the trip, using the exact cot and fitted sheet.
2. Keep the familiar order of bath, pyjamas, story and lights out even if bedtime shifts.
3. Place the cot away from blind cords, radiators, heaters and furniture that can be climbed.
4. Use the same sleeping bag and white-noise routine you use at home, where appropriate.
5. Make the room dark enough before attempting bedtime rather than fixing light leaks after your toddler is awake.

Our guides to overnight travel-cot sleep, easy cot setup and sleep problems on holiday cover the rest of the routine. If the room will be very tight, compare the options in our small-space travel cot guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best travel cot for a two-year-old?

The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is the strongest all-round choice because its 105cm mattress and floor-level base provide useful space without an upper weight limit. Stop using it as soon as climbing begins.

Can a three-year-old sleep in a travel cot?

Some can, provided they remain within the manufacturer's limits, fit comfortably and do not attempt to climb out. Many children will move to a toddler bed or portable floor bed before or around this stage.

Is a travel cot safe for overnight toddler sleep?

Yes, when the model is approved for sleep, assembled exactly as instructed and used with its correct mattress and bedding. Check all locks before every night.

Can I add a thicker mattress?

Do not add an extra mattress unless the manufacturer explicitly supplies or approves it for that exact cot. Extra depth can reduce the effective side height and create dangerous gaps.

Which toddler travel cot is lightest?

The Maxi-Cosi Iris is 5.4kg, while the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is 6kg including its carry bag. Compare the packed shape as well as the scale weight.

What should I do if my toddler climbs out?

Stop using the cot. A floor bed, suitable toddler bed or another age-appropriate sleep arrangement is safer than trying to prevent climbing by adding covers or restraints.

Do airlines carry travel cots free?

Policies vary. Some airlines include a travel cot within a baby's checked-equipment allowance; others count it as ordinary hold baggage. Check the airline's current wording before booking.

Should I take my own cot to a cottage?

Taking your own gives your child a familiar sleep space and lets you verify the mattress and setup. If the property supplies one, request the make, mattress and room dimensions before relying on it.

Final verdict

Choose the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light when portability and a longer toddler lifespan matter most. Choose the Silver Cross Slumber when you have car space and want a broader cot that doubles as a play area. The Maxi-Cosi Iris is the best alternative for low carry weight, while the Joie Kubbie Sleep keeps the purchase cost down.

For younger children, see our separate newborn travel cot comparison. You can also browse the complete travel cots and sleep solutions hub.